Demystifying Beauty: Explaining Emulsion

There are many new beauty products out on the market these days, and it can be difficult to keep track of them or even what their purposes are. Today, I’ll be clearing up the concept of emulsion.

Emulsifiers are used in creams and lotions to mix water with oils. Since water and oil do not mix but stay separated, an additional agent (emulsifier) is necessary to form a homogenous mixture keeping water and oil together. There are 2 types of emulsifiers. Oil-in-water (o/w) emulsifiers keep oil drops packed in water, while water-in-oil (w/o) emulsifiers keep water drops packed in oil. W/O emulsifiers are used for a fatty feel (e.g night & sun protection creams). O/W emulsifiers are used more in moisturizing products (e.g. body lotions, day creams).

Emulsion is a water-based light moisturizer. It is typically used after a toner, but before applying any serums, essences or moisturizers. Scientifically, an emulsion is a mixture of two or more liquids that are normally non-mixable. The liquids commonly used to prepare lotions are usually water and oil. Hence, some companies label their lotions and moisturizers as ‘emulsions.’

Emulsion is more commonly used in the day, whereas traditional moisturizers, lotions and creams may be used at night. As a light, non-sticky moisturizer, it absorbs into the skin a lot faster, and does not clog pores; hence it is very beneficial for people with combination or oily skin who don’t need a lot of moisturizing. Furthermore, as a light moisturizer, it does not give the skin the shiny or oily look, giving the skin a nice natural look. Emulsion can be applied below makeup or normal creams, making it an easy and convenient beauty product. If you’re just looking for moisturizing purpose, and you have a clear and problem-free, combination-skin or oily complexion, emulsion can be an excellent substitute for heavier moisturizer.

After cleansing your face and applying toner, apply emulsion to the forehead, cheeks, and chin, and spread it over the entire face. Work your way from the center to the outer edges of your face with light pressure from your palms. Focus on massaging the areas around the eyes and the mouth with your fingertips, as these are the areas you want to concentrate the emulsion on.

If your skin is dehydrated and badly in need of moisturizing, apply a liberal amount of emulsion to the face and massage lightly all over to help speed up the absorption rate. Rub the forehead and cheeks in spirals and massage delicately under the eyes to de-puff and reduce dark circles caused by dehydrated skin. Emulsions have other purposes than moisturizing, however. Products such as the Acymer Pore Minimizing and Refining Emulsion maintain healthy oil balance and tightens and shrinks pores, while other emulsions contain microbeads for exfoliation or seek to enhance skin immunity from environmental stressors and pollutants.

In conclusion, if you’re looking for a light moisturizer that can work under makeup and doesn’t stick, emulsion may be an excellent option for you!